The Island Corridor Foundation, with endorsement from. the B.C. Chamber of Commerce, has suggested “…full restoration of the rail corridor on Vancouver Island would be an ideal infrastructure project that could bring both immediate, and long term, economic benefit and stimulus to Vancouver Island.” Do you agree? Why or why not?
The Island Corridor (E&N Railway) is an amazing asset for the folks of Vancouver Island. There is great opportunity here to have an amazing tourist attraction that can attract hundreds of visitors, and locals, to various locations on Vancouver Island over time.
I believe expanding the corridor to include walking and biking will be nothing but a boon to all the communities along the line and will put much needed dollars in local economies.
As far as the railway coming back, at this time I can’t answer that as I don’t have enough information about actual costs, as well as how much money the railway has to put into it. So I can’t give a real answer on that aspect as I don’t have enough information.
I favour the idea of converting the old E&N corridor to an accessible multi-use trail system. This development could only happen with First Nations consultation and partnership.
Restoring the rail line would be costly. Our communities would benefit more from a shift towards active transportation. A multi-use trail system will connect our communities. It will help us meet our climate action goals. It will also increase tourism to our beautiful corner of the Island, which is good for our local businesses.
I am a huge advocate for rail services, and I believe that it is an important part of reducing vehicle emissions and congestion on our roads. A restored rail line would provide a mode of transportation for those who do not drive, people who work in another area of the island and need to commute daily and could also boost tourism in multiple areas.
In my time as MLA I have been involved in ongoing discussions around the restoration of the railway, and there is still work that needs to be done that will ultimately determine the route that we take- the most important of which is the conversations with the various First Nations along the route. With the implantation of the UN Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples, it is important that we view everything through the lens of reconciliation and certainly a rail line that passes though so many nations, needs to have the support of the people in those nations before we can proceed.
Candidates responses to this question have been added in the order received. Go to the Election Questions list to see questions that have been submitted to the Forum.
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